MacBook owners can wait for Apple to ship a replacement cable -- it will do that by month's end to those who provided a mailing address during purchase, such as when the notebook was bought online at the company's e-store -- or request one from Apple's support desk, or at an Apple or reseller's store.

Apple hasn't been the only computer maker with cable issues.

Late last month, Microsoft recalled cables included with the Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 for devices sold before March 15, 2015. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the defective power cables have a history of overheating and posed a fire or shock hazard.